“Oh, all right. All I meant was, it wouldn’t suit our book, would it, to let it out just yet?”
“It’s not a question of what suits anyone. It’s a question of what is right. And if anybody in the house knows anything I don’t, he ought to speak, whatever it costs.”
“There’s an artful card,” thought Arthur to himself, and added aloud—
“I don’t fancy any fellow knows anything you don’t, Marky—I mean Mr Railsford. I don’t.”
“Don’t you? Do you know,” said the master, “I have sometimes had an impression you did. I am quite relieved to hear it, Arthur.”
“Oh, you needn’t be afraid of me,” said Arthur, lost in admiration for the cleverness of his future brother-in-law. “I’m safe, never you fear.”
“It’s a strange mystery,” said Railsford, “but sooner or later we shall know the meaning of it.”
“Later the better,” put in Arthur, with a wink.
“I don’t envy the feelings of the culprit, whoever he is; for he is a coward as well as a liar.”
“No, more do I, Perhaps you’re too down on him, though. Never mind, he’s safe enough, for you and me.”